The benefit is set to open at 6:30 p.m. on April 3 in the Zion Room on the fifth floor of the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

The event will feature readings by novelist Taylor Jenkins Reid and poet Darren Edwards as well as a live performance by local band NVM. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase copies of “The Southern Quill” and participate in a silent auction comprised of merchandise and gift cards — including ski lift tickets and resort stays — donated by local businesses.

“This event will bring together the Dixie State University campus and our community for a culturally enriching experience with two writers whose work is both nationally and internationally known,” said Dr. Cindy King, DSU assistant professor of creative writing and “The Southern Quill” faculty adviser. “The reading and silent auction will also serve as a benefit to celebrate and support ‘The Southern Quill.’”

Taylor Jenkins Reid(Photo: Submitted by Dixie State University)

Reid is the author of “One True Loves,” “Maybe in Another Life,” “After I Do” and “Forever, Interrupted.” Her novels have been named a Best Book of Summer by People, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, USA TODAY, Redbook, Us Weekly, Parade, PopSugar, Buzzfeed, Bustle, Brit+Co, Goodreads and others.

Edwards helped bring slam poetry to southwestern Utah as slam master for the long-running Open Mic series. He is the author of “Utah Sport Climbing: Stories and Reflections on the Bolting of the Beehive State.” From 2016 to 2017, he served as managing editor at the Southern Utah Independent. His writing has appeared in Dialogue, Urban Climber and Stone Voices.

NVM, a progressive rock band hailing from St. George will kick off the evening with an acoustic set featuring tracks from their new album, “aqua cross.”

“NVM is a literate, engaging band,” said Dr. Stephen B. Armstrong, who teaches with King in Dixie State’s popular creative writing emphasis. “Their new record, ‘aqua cross,’ shreds. And I’ve known Darren Edwards for nearly a decade. He helped the English department at DSU make important strides as we’ve expanded our creative writing offerings over the years. And Taylor Jenkins Reid? Good golly, what a writer! My wife and I have been reading through her splendid novels together and can’t wait to hear her read in person.”

NVM(Photo: Submitted by Dixie State University)

“The Southern Quill” has been in print since 1951 and publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts of various forms from contributors in Utah and Clark County, Nevada. The staff of the journal is comprised of students from a variety of disciplines, who read, review and select the works that will be published.

For more information about “The Southern Quill,” visit thesouthernquill.com or contact Dr. Cindy King at cindy.king@dixie.edu.

DOVE Center receives Verizon HopeLine grant

DOVE Center, a non-profit agency serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence throughout Washington and Kane counties, received a Verizon HopeLine grant to expand its work in prevention and awareness education in area schools and throughout the community.

Verizon HopeLine supports domestic violence prevention and awareness programs across the country. HopeLine offers the opportunity for individuals to take action against domestic violence by donating their no-longer-used cell phones and accessories -- in any condition, and from any service provider. Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. Proceeds from the program are used to provide cell phones and cash grants to local and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

DOVE Center is using the Verizon funds to further advance prevention and awareness education throughout the local community.

“This generous contribution from Verizon makes it possible for us to reach even more people with very valuable information,” said Lindsey Boyer, Executive Director at DOVE Center. “We know that prevention education is one key to breaking the cycle of abuse and creating lasting solutions; so we’re grateful for the opportunity to expand our educational outreach.”

To learn more about DOVE Center, email outreach@dovecenter.org or call 435-628-1204. For emergency shelter or other questions about domestic violence or sexual assault, call DOVE's 24-hour helpline, 435-628-0458. To make a donation, visit dovecenter.org.

The Utah Nonprofits Association will present a free training workshop for nonprofit organizations on April 5 titled, Dixie Serves: Get Connected! The session is part of UNA’s ongoing professional development program that provides comprehensive training to nonprofit organizations, their boards, volunteers and key stakeholders in order to enhance and support success, impact and sustainability for services they provide communities.

The workshop, led by Indigo Klabanoff, community outreach coordinator for United Way Dixie; and Karyn Wright, DSU community engagement specialist, will focus on the use, sign-up and benefits of Dixie Serves. The new, innovative web-based portal will be available to all local nonprofits and community members at no cost. The goal of the program is to bring nonprofit organizations and community volunteers together in one efficient, easy-to-use platform.

“As volunteer managers, common things we hear when talking to potential volunteers are: 'I didn’t know about this event,' 'I didn’t know about that charity,' or 'I’ve always wanted to volunteer, but don’t know where,'" Klabanoff said. "Many Southern Utahans don’t know who to reach out to to find opportunities.”

“In order to achieve greater impact and sustainability, nonprofits will need to invest in more efficient and effective ways to leverage our local volunteer base.” said Dawn McLain, Southern Utah coordinator for UNA. “Utah has led the nation in volunteerism for 11 years. With 43.2% of our population volunteering an average of 75.6 hours each last year, our state boasted nearly 171 million volunteer hours. That translates into almost $4 billion in economic contribution. Though that is phenomenal, we know there is room for growth. Maximizing the potential to capture every southern Utah volunteer possible and match them to a project they are passionate about could yield substantial results locally. I am very excited to see the role that Dixie Serves will play in this area as the program gains momentum.”

Nonprofit organizations and professionals are encouraged to participate in this training session, as well as volunteers. Organizations that bring laptops will be able to sign up and begin working within the program that same day.

Check-in for the workshop will begin at 7:45 a.m. April 5 at the DXATC Professional Building, 610 S. Tech Ridge Drive, room A-223, St. George. The training session will run from 8 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the community. Go to utahnonprofits.org to register. Those interested are encouraged to bring their own laptops.

Visit DixieServes.org to review the program online prior to the training.